Filter by

star star star star star
08 Nov, 2024 by Joy
Working with Shervin Abachi and his team compared to other attorneys is like NIGHT and DAY. He and his team follow up, update, and are organized with how they go about handling your case. You do not need to chase anyone for updates about your case or to comfort you on whether or not this case is evenworked on because they are on top of it. From the first consultation, he was succinct in explaining eligibility, strategy, etc. They are also so patient with your questions and truly care about giving you useful information that will benefit the case you are going for. My only regret is that I did not work with him sooner. Thank you, Shervin!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
17 Oct, 2024 by Kimia
I recently worked with Shervin on my O1B filing (entertainment-music), and I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Shervin was incredibly knowledgeable about my specific situation and took the time to thoroughly explain all the procedures and different pathways available. He really helped me choose the best course of action. His initial estimate of my chances of approval was spot on, and I got approved immediately! Throughout the whole process, Shervin guided me through any issues that came up, always suggesting the best steps to take. He wasn't just professional and well-prepared; he was also super approachable and easy to communicate with, as was his entire team. The fee structure was reasonable, transparent, and offered great value for the quality of service. I always felt well-informed, and Shervin made sure I understood all the legal aspects clearly. He prepared my case with such care and attention to detail, ensuring the best possible outcome. If you're looking for an attorney who's knowledgeable, supportive, and gets the job done, I highly recommend Shervin!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
13 Oct, 2024 by Paria
We had a successful application, Shervin did a great background check for finding my events, awards, and things that could help my case a lot. He is mostly available for answering questions and does a great job talking with employers, agents, and sponsors for the application. He wrote a great letter arguing my eligibility for this visa and is very experienced working with artists and creatives in general. His familiarity with the art world and art practices makes him a great fit for this visa, plus he knows a lot about Iranian cases which helps a lot if you are from that region.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
15 Apr, 2016 by Tonya
Mrs. Nelson came in on the tail end of what should have been a open and shut case. After literally NO guidance from my previous attorney, I was about to simply throw in the towel and walk away. Mrs. Nelson met with me, and worked diligently to salvage what she could of my case and I was very pleased with her effort, and honesty about the situation. I would recommend her firm to anyone in need of solid representation.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
14 Apr, 2016 by Dickson
my lawyer helped me to prepare affidavit to report of my suspicion of my ex-wife defrauding me into marriage in order for her to circumvent immigration process and to secure her green card. she also helped me in the divorce process.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
08 Apr, 2016 by Lisa
I hired Ms. Nelson to assist me with child support and alimony issues after my divorce. She handled my case in a professional manner from the start. There was never a time that she was not there for me. My questions and concerns were always handled in a timely manner either by her or her office. She fought hard for me through out my case, which did take considerable time. Over that time, I came to think of her as a friend, someone who truly had my back and not just my attorney. I have since recommended her to others in need of an excellent attorney. If the need ever arose in the future where I again needed legal representation, I would pick up the phone and know Ms. Nelson would step up and do an amazing job.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
18 Jun, 2019 by Angelina
Mr.Makis Abraham took a case many lawyers had previously walked away from. Not only did he win cash for me , but proved himself to be an aggressive go getter at the deposition of the plaintiffs..Mr.Abraham was so well prepared via research onnthe case at hand, that when he began to question the plaintiffs they became irrational .lol it was real legalbpoetry in motion on th he part of Mr Abbram.Not once did he allow the other party to intimidate him with they're antics of yelling and refusing to answer him simply because he effectively caught these people in so many lies about what they had said and done to me thay became AFRAID..THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK MR. ABRAHAM..MY FAMILY LOOKS FORWARD TO OUR COOK OUT THIS SUMMER AND AS USUAL YOUR INVITED. ANGELINA BOON
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
29 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Would have saved us both alot of time and me an unnessary $800 fee if he would have just taken the time to access my bankrupct situation alittle more quickly and carefullly and didnt have me pay the fee from the start but I suspect he knew every early at that time, I wasnt a good candidate for bankruocy but I already paid the fee so of course he didnt want to give that back. During it when I had questions he was hard to reach and rarely avilable and returned phone calls. Towards the end he didnt even call me to end our client, lawyer realtionship. I got a letter when he could have just talked to me and told me because of the information I gave him, Im not a good candidate at that moment. Then a year later he contacts me for no reason I suspect when he learned I was working with a colleague on a accident case he knows but that had nothing to do with my accident case and as recently as last month when my situation was alittle more dire and i wanted to file for bankruptcy and I cantacted him again to give him the business, he saw my name on his caller id and just hanged up which was very unprofessional so for all these resons I give him a 1 star and would give a 0 if I could. Im sure hes a good lawyer but he wasnt with me a couple years ago at all. Sorry guy but it is what it is.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
08 Dec, 2015 by Rolando
Markis helped me through the process / paperwork of selling my home. He and his staff were very professional and responsive. I highly recommend.
Read more Avvo
See more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What an Entertainment Lawyer Can Do for You

An entertainment lawyer specializes in legal matters related to the entertainment industry, including film, television, music, publishing, sports, and digital media. They assist artists, creators, producers, and companies with contract negotiations, intellectual property protection, licensing deals, royalties, and disputes. Entertainment lawyers also help clients navigate complex industry regulations and ensure their creative rights are protected.

Whether you're an actor, musician, producer, writer, or influencer, an entertainment lawyer can help safeguard your rights and ensure that your business deals are legally sound.

When Should I Hire an Entertainment Lawyer?

You should consider hiring an entertainment lawyer in a variety of situations, including:

  • Contract negotiations: If you're signing a contract for a film role, recording deal, or publishing agreement, an entertainment lawyer can review the terms and negotiate on your behalf to ensure your interests are protected.
  • Intellectual property protection: If you're a creator (musician, writer, filmmaker), an entertainment lawyer can help secure copyrights, trademarks, and licensing agreements to protect your work from unauthorized use.
  • Disputes or litigation: If you’re involved in a legal dispute, such as breach of contract, copyright infringement, or defamation, an entertainment lawyer can represent you in negotiations or court.
  • Representation agreements: If you’re hiring or entering into a contract with a manager, agent, or publicist, a lawyer can ensure that the terms of representation are fair and comply with industry standards.
  • Royalties and licensing: If you're licensing your work for use in film, TV, or digital platforms, a lawyer can negotiate royalty agreements to ensure you receive proper compensation.
  • Talent contracts: Whether you are hiring talent for a project or negotiating your own appearance or performance fees, an entertainment lawyer can ensure the terms are legally binding and beneficial.
  • Film and television production: If you're producing a film, TV show, or other media project, a lawyer can handle contracts with crew, talent, and distributors, and ensure that all legal aspects of the production are covered.

Hiring a lawyer early in your entertainment career or project can prevent costly legal mistakes and protect your creative and financial interests.

What Does an Entertainment Lawyer Do?

An entertainment lawyer provides a range of legal services to professionals in the entertainment industry. Their responsibilities often include:

  • Reviewing and drafting contracts: Entertainment lawyers review, draft, and negotiate contracts for talent, production, licensing, distribution, and endorsements. This ensures that the terms are fair and protect their client's interests.
  • Securing intellectual property rights: They help clients obtain copyrights, trademarks, and patents for their creative works, and assist with licensing those rights to third parties.
  • Negotiating deals: Whether it's a film deal, music contract, publishing agreement, or endorsement, an entertainment lawyer ensures that their client gets favorable terms and is protected from potential legal pitfalls.
  • Handling disputes and litigation: In cases where contract terms are violated, intellectual property is infringed, or other legal issues arise, an entertainment lawyer can represent clients in negotiations, arbitration, or court.
  • Advising on industry regulations: Entertainment lawyers help clients navigate industry-specific laws, such as union regulations, labor laws, or FCC rules for broadcasting.
  • Managing royalties and residuals: They assist in tracking and collecting royalties or residuals for music, film, television, and digital content to ensure clients receive the compensation they are owed.
  • Talent agreements and representation: Entertainment lawyers often work with talent agents and managers, ensuring that their clients' representation agreements are legally sound and financially beneficial.

How Are Entertainment Lawyers Paid?

Entertainment lawyers may be paid in various ways, depending on the type of service provided. Common payment structures include:

  • Hourly rate: Many entertainment lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $250 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the case.
  • Flat fee: For specific legal services, such as drafting a contract or filing a trademark, some lawyers offer flat fees. Flat fees are common in simpler or one-time transactions.
  • Contingency fee: In some cases, especially when working with talent, entertainment lawyers may charge a contingency fee, meaning they take a percentage (usually 5% to 10%) of the client's earnings from a particular project.
  • Retainer: For ongoing legal services, such as managing contracts and royalties over a long period, a lawyer may require a retainer fee. This is an upfront payment that covers future legal services, and the lawyer bills against the retainer as they work on the case.

It’s important to discuss fee structures with your lawyer at the outset to ensure you understand the total cost of legal services.

How Much Does an Entertainment Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring an entertainment lawyer depends on the complexity of your legal needs, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of fee arrangement. General cost estimates include:

  • Hourly rates: Entertainment lawyers typically charge between $250 and $1,000 per hour. More experienced lawyers with extensive connections in the entertainment industry may charge higher rates.
  • Flat fees: For simpler services like drafting a basic contract, flat fees can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the agreement.
  • Contingency fees: Lawyers working on a contingency basis typically charge between 5% and 10% of the earnings from a project or deal. For example, if a lawyer helps you secure a $100,000 film contract, their fee might be $5,000 to $10,000.
  • Retainers: For ongoing legal representation, retainers can range from $2,500 to $50,000 or more, depending on the scope of the legal services and the length of the engagement.

Always discuss the costs and fee structure during your initial consultation to ensure that the services fit within your budget.

Top Questions to Ask an Entertainment Lawyer

Before hiring an entertainment lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they are the right fit for your career or project. Key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have in entertainment law?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience in your specific area of the entertainment industry, whether it's film, music, television, or digital media.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, flat fee, or contingency fee, and ask for a detailed cost estimate.
  3. Do you have industry connections?
    Ask about the lawyer’s experience and connections in the entertainment industry, which can be valuable for contract negotiations and deal-making.
  4. What contracts or legal issues should I be aware of?
    Ask the lawyer to identify potential legal pitfalls in your specific project or career and how they would help you avoid them.
  5. What intellectual property protections do I need?
    If you’re a creator, ask how the lawyer will help protect your intellectual property rights and prevent others from using your work without permission.
  6. How will you negotiate deals on my behalf?
    Ask about the lawyer’s approach to negotiating contracts, ensuring they focus on getting favorable terms while maintaining strong industry relationships.
  7. What happens if there is a dispute?
    Ask the lawyer how they handle disputes, including whether they aim for negotiation or litigation and how they would protect your interests.

How to Check the Credibility of an Entertainment Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable entertainment lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:

  • Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions against them.
  • Look for entertainment law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in entertainment law and have successfully handled cases or negotiations relevant to your industry.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients say about their experience with the lawyer, especially in terms of contract negotiations and industry knowledge.
  • Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on entertainment-related matters.
  • Check for industry memberships: Membership in entertainment law organizations, such as the Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment Law Section, can indicate a lawyer’s dedication to staying up-to-date on industry trends and regulations.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with an entertainment lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

  • Current contracts or agreements: Bring any contracts you have already signed or are considering, such as talent agreements, recording contracts, publishing deals, or management contracts.
  • Intellectual property portfolio: Provide details about any copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property you own or are seeking to protect.
  • Project details: If you’re working on a specific project (e.g., film, album, book), provide a summary of the project, your role, and any legal needs, such as contract negotiations or copyright protection.
  • List of collaborators or stakeholders: Provide information about other parties involved in your project, such as agents, managers, producers, or distributors, and any contracts related to them.
  • Questions about your legal needs: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, potential issues, and how the lawyer can help you protect your interests.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your legal needs effectively and provide the best possible advice tailored to your entertainment career or project.

Scroll to top